disappointed in Nicolai

Update: problems solved thanks to Kalle!

Hi,

last summer I got my new Helius AM frame in titan ano. Then I saw that there were two things wrong with it. First the rear end was wrong, I ordered black ano seatstays and titan ano chainstays, but got it just swapped. Second was the color of the titan ano, it's far too dark, it doesn't even look like the titan frames I saw on internet.

I know Nicolai has some conditions about the risks of anodising, like differences because of welding and different types of aluminium, but I think that's nice, that's Nicolai. However I can't find something in it about a total wrong color. http://whyexfiles.dbap.de/Public/NIC..._anodizing.pdf

Now Nicolai says they don't want to do anything with the frame, and even not with the rear end. And if I would like to have a rear end in the colors I want, the risk of difference in color with the mainframe (almost 100%) is going to be for me.

Now I have a frame which was quite expensive, but I'm very disappointed in the color and in Nicolai. We have several Nicolai frames and we've always been very satisfied with them, but know I'm very dissapointed. What do I have to do with this?

As with a lot of things there are always two sides to a story, taken at face value (and I'm not suggesting there is a reason not to)

They ****ed up on the rear triangle, they wont (are unable) to commit to getting it rectified to match the front (regardless of the fact your not keen on the colour) so should step up and do the correct thing and offer a new frame

The colour of the ano is subjective, backgrounds and lighting in the two shots are completely different, the lower picture could have been achieved with optimum lighting conditions

Your post does read like the crib notes of actual events though, Mr Nicolais direct email is floating round this forum somewhere, direct communication may have the potential to better get this sorted for you

@wpuk: I've post some other pictues, when you look at the black rear end you can see it much darker. My dealer has tried since last summer to get this sorted, 3 weeks ago I had to bring back the frame and they shipped it to Nicolai and this was their answer. So there has been direct contact with Nicolai, the frame has even been sent back.

Is the AC and AM below yours really titan ano ? Because the AM frame looks more like bronze to me.

I don't know if you had the chance to see titan ano prior to your order, because as we all know pics in the internet are often "idealized" and/or shot with different lighting/cameras etc.

Especially bronze ano is very "light dependent", as I've seen many times for myself. Rather dark lighting or not so sunny day and it has a nice dark colour to it, shot with camera flash as I did e.g. at an Nicolai open-house a few years ago, I was quite suprised how bright it turned out.

@Testmaen: the frames below are really titan ano. I know pictures are always different from "the real look" , but I've seen several pics and also with black decals of black rear ends, and the difference between black and ano was very big.

We've got 5 Nicolai frames here, also one in bronze ano, and the colors of all the frames are ok. Even if the color would be ok, the rear end is wrong. And when the rear end will be made ok, you will see a lot of difference with the mainframe.

I really like Nicolai's products and I still do, all our bikes are fine, but this frame just ain't good. Like TLR says, it almost looks black.

Am trying to look at this subjectively, of which I agree with some of your points for sure, it is disappointing. Let us if we can work through the facts to get some resolution..

1 - The rear end chainstays are ano black, of which you ordered ti ano... Nicolai made the seatstays ti ano instead of black....

Dutch - Have Nicolai agreed that an error was made on the rear end colours?

2 - The ti ano main frame is different to other ti ano finishes you have seen.

Taking the rear chainstay muck ups, the front ti ano is for sure different to the other ti ano frame you have posted.... There is for sure differences in ano frame colour with differing light situations...

Have you contacted Karl directly on this, whilst discussing the 2 issues outside of one another...

I fully understand your frustration.

TLR - to say that Dutch has been stitched up is being a blue rinse brigade nanna... The incorrect rear black ano chainstay is black, far different to the main frame you are saying is black!

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

At the very least getting directly in touch with him directly will give your closure one way or another

Things are not always as they seem (as in the case of the dealer support in the linked thread) , when/if you get communications with him, go at it from the angle that this is the first he is aware of it and try not to let emotion rule any communication

TLR - No one is not diluting Dutch's case, it is a concern to us all. But these things need to be dealt with in the right way..

As I see it, and tell me if I have it wrong, there are 2 separate issues here. The issues with the rear colours of the bike, then the lack of clarity on the front tri being ti ano, or ti ano the same as other frames...

TLR, dude, you love nothing more than whipping up a storm in the proverbial teacup... There are as many boutique brands across MTBR where by they are even thinner..

Factually I have had considerable discussion with Karl, Nicolai on participation on MTBR... I think it works well as it is, of course I would like more, thats human nature.... TLR, are you wanting participation at the level of DT does on the Turner forum?

wpuk words it the best above..

The_Lecht_Rocks: whafe - cheeers - may i offer an official apology for the wagon wheeler "dis-belief"

Ive had direct dealings with Turner bikes customer service and whilst they seem to have all their **** in one sock states side, they are relative partners to the cowboys at Silverfish (UK distrubutors) when it comes to anything on the other side of the pond